Clasp, binder and key



-P 1959 s. M. FOTIADES 2,903,766

CLASP, BINDER AND KEY Filed Oct. 4, 195a a M 5 6 1 10 14 M 10 M cs rxy'cosm.%tiaclns IN VEN TOR.

nited States atent CLASP, BINDER AND KEY Spyros M. Fotiades, Athens, Greece Application October 4, 1956, Serial No. 613,918 2 Claims. (Cl. 24-107) This invention relates to clasps, and more particularly to clasps having components which cooperate to clamp or otherwise hold threads, cords, wires or other fabrics and materials. A binder of special design may be included in the combination to implement the holding of fabrics and other material having body. A special key may also be used to facilitate tightening of the clasp.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive, effective clasp for holding material of various shapes and sizes.

Another object is to provide a simple, inexpensive clasp for clamping together one or more pieces of thread, wire or other material of various thicknesses.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp actuated by a simple motion of the opposed members.

Still another object is to provide a clasp whose components can be readily clamped manually or by means of a simple key.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a clasp which utilizes the body of the material being clamped to establish a retaining interference to hold the elements of the clasp in interlocking relationship.

Another object is to provide a simple clasp comprising opposed members which may readily be completely separated from each other and as readily united in clamped interlocking relationship.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp having the exposed surface of one member free of clasp obstructions, to be readily decorated.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a combination clasp and binder for holding fabric and other materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination clasp and binder having novel interlocking means to readily permit removal and re-use of the binder and clasp.

Other objects will become apparent from the following specification, claims and drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the clasp with the needles of a binder inserted therein.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional View of the clasp with the opposed members rotated to the open position.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the opposed members of the clasp.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the other member of the clasp.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the binder.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a key used to facilitate rotation of the opposed members.

Figure 7 is a partially broken-away, cross-sectional View similar to Figure 2, of another embodiment of the c asp.

The clasp and its component members as they appear in Figures 1 through 4 may be formed from stampings of a variety of suitable metals for the specific application contemplated. The finish may be any of the common finishes used for metal to protect the clasp from oxidation "ice and other forms of corrosion. A suitable finish may also be used to improve the appearance of the clasp. Certain other finishes or coatings may also be used such as a plastic dip to provide the desired smooth surfaces on the entire clasp or on the surfaces contacting the threads or cords secured therein. Further, a decorative coating or covering may be applied to the shell member 1 in Figures 1, 2 and 3 when the clasp is secured to clothing as a button or to other materials to enhance the appearance.

When the clasp is to be used to secure exposed electrical conductors, a bonded layer or coating of a good conductor such as copper may be applied to the pendant 2 of the shell member 1 in Figures 1 through 3. A similar coating may be applied to the edge 3 of the opening 4 of the mating plate member 5 against which the inner surface 6 of the pendant 2 is operable to clasp wires and other conductors therebetween. Such a layer or coating may also be applied as described when the sheil member 1 and the mating plate member 5 are formed from various plastic or other materials. Further, the shell member 1 may be metal and the pendant 2 a separable plastic component, and conversely.

To increase the holding power of the clasp, the inner surface 6 of the pendant 2 may be knurled or grooved transversely, longitudinally and askew. Likewise, the edge 3 of the opening 4 in mating plate member 5 may be serrated axially, circumferentially or askew to form gripping surfaces and grooves to mate with those of the grooves in the inner surface 6 of the pendant 2.

The inner surface of the edge 3 may be slightly concave or otherwise formed to mate more readily over a greater area with the inner surface 6 of the pendant 2. Briefly, many various combinations of materials may be used to form the pendant 2, and the members 1 and 5.

The physical size and shape of the pendant 2 and the mating opening 4 may be varied. Preferably, a spherical or conical pendant 2 and inner surface 6 is incorporated in the shell member 1, with a spherical or conical, circu lar opening 4 in the mating plate member 5. Alternately, the cross-section of the pendant 2, and, the periphery of the opening 4 may be shaped as similar mating polygons with the base 8 of the pendant 2 rotatabiy joined to the shell member 1 to permit rotation of the opposed members 1 and 5 for clamping.

Generally, it is preferably formed so that the inner surface 6 be a smooth, continuous curve to enable material of various thicknesses to be readily secured therein. The inner surface 6 of the pendant 2 in Figures 1 and 2 and 3 may be formed with a definite shoulder to abut the edge 3 of the opening 4 in Figure 4.

The largest outer diameter or cross-section of the pendant 2 may be slightly less or greater than the inner diameter or width of the mating section of the opening 4, depending on whether the shell member l and the mating plate member 5 are to be completely separable.

When the pendant 2 is larger across than the opening 4, it must be joined to the shell member 1 by its base 8 after assembly of the mating plate member 5 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In the modification shown in Figure 7, the pendant 2 is smaller across than the opening 4 whereby the shell member 1 and the mating plate member 5' are freely separable. If the edge 3 of the opening 4, and/ or the pendant 2 are slightly resilient, then a force fit or entry of the pendant 2 through the opening 4 can be made to link the shell member 1 and the mating plate member 5 together as a unit which can be separated or pulled apart from each other but still remain linked together.

When the pendant 2 is smaller across than the opening 4, the shell member 1 and the mating plate member 5 are freely and completely separable and rely solely on the presence of threads, cords, wires, cables, fabrics or other the pendant 2 whereby an interference is established with i the opening 4, preventing the pendant 2 from being completely withdrawn, and, simultaneously clasping the needles 9 therebetween.

Referring to Figure 3, shell member 1 is shown as having a slightly concave structure with ribs 10 protruding from the concave surface, out radially from the base 8 of the pendant 2. The radial spacing of the ribs 10 is such that when the pendant 2 is inserted in the opening 4 of the mating plate member 5 in Figure 4, the ribs lie in the spaces 11 between the earns 12. It is noted that the cams 12 have defined ridges 13 which serve to retain the mating ribs 10 in the advanced, locked position as the shell member 1 is rotated counter-clockwise by the ears 14 whereby the ribs 16 ride up onto the earns 12 and thereby raise the shell member 1 up tending to withdraw the pendant 2 from the opening 4. The direction of rotation for locking may be reversed by changing the direction of the earns 12.

Thus, it may be understood that the greater the thickness of the needles 9 or other material secured in the clasp, the nearer to the base 8 of the pendant 2 will be the locking interference between the inner surface 6 of the pendant 2, and the edge 3 of the opening 4 in the member 5. Further, the longer the cam and the greater the angle, the thicker the piece of material which can be secured by the clasp, particularly when a definite shoulder is formed on the inner surface 6 of the pendant 2 to abut the edge 3 of the opening 4. Also, the greater the angle of the cams 12, the faster the rate of locking and the greater the force required to lock the clasp.

The base 8 may be slightly offset from the member 1 to modify the design and permit greater thickness of material to be inserted therebetween. Also, such an offset will permit a thicker mating plate member 5, and more area to receive a greater portion between the members 1 and 5. Further, the differential in the cross-sectional area of the inner surface 6 may also be changed to vary the range of thicknesses of materials insertable therein.

Figure 1 shows the clasp in the locked position with a binder 15 having needles 9 secured therein and holding the material 16 secured thereto. To facilitate locking and unlocking of the clasp, holes 17 are provided in the shell member 1 as shown in Figure 3 to receive the projections 18 of the key 19 having a concave surface 20 in Figure 6. Holes 17 or other openings through the shell member 1 can receive the loose ends of threads, cords, wires, cables or needles such as 9 intact therethrough to permit ready adjustment of the length of these binding elements. Holes 21 in the mating plate member 5 receive a key similar to 19 but with a convex face such as 22, to facilitate rotation of the two members.

As shown in Figures 1 through 4, members 1 and 5 are slightly convexo-concave. The members 1 and 5 may also be formed relatively flat or with a reverse curvature whereby the pendant 2 depends from a convex surface of the shell member 1 and enters the opening 4 in a mating concave face of the plate member 5. With this latter configuration, and, with the members fiat as discussed, the pendant 2 would be more prominent, as would be the clasped material. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 4, however, the outer peripheries of the members 1 and 5 somewhat enclose and conceal the pendant 2 and the material or needles clamped therein.

The outer peripheries of the members 1 and 5 may even be further extended about the pendant 2. Also,

mating cam or screw thread surfaces may be formed on these extended depending peripheries to serve instead of the earns 12 (on the upper convex surface of plate member 5) to withdraw the pendant 2 from the opening 4 in the member 5.

The mating members 1 and 5 when formed as thin metallic stampings, or, when their structure and material are somewhat resilient, will yield to facilitate locking and unlocking.

To withdraw the pendant 2 from the opening 4, other cam, lever or screw thread means may be used as a part of the shell member 1 or the mating plate member 5. Also, such means could be associated with only a single plate member such as 5, to manipulate a pendant in the opening 4 therein. Such various means would in most instances protrude beyond the external surfaces of the members and detract from their appearance. Members 1 and 5 in Figures 1 through 4 are relatively unobstructed although ears 14 and holes 17 in shell member 1 may be eliminated to provide a perfectly smooth exposed, outer surface.

Figure 5 shows a binder 23 having a cross member 24 and needles 25 protruding therefrom. The binder and needles may be made from metal, plastic or other suitable materials as may the binder 15 shown in Figure l. The needles are preferably erect and resilient to be able to surround a piece of fabric or material, or, penetrate it and then be inserted into the clearance 26 between the edge 3 of the opening 4, and, pendant 2 as shown in Figure 2. Further, as the clasp is tightened by rotation as discussed, the needles 9 should be flexible to yield to the locked position between the curved inner surface 6 of the pendant 2 and the edge 3 of the opening 4 as shown in Figure 1. On loosening, when the needles 9 and 25 are resilient, they will return to the erect position, ready for another penetration through material, and, insertion into the opening 4 of the clasp.

It will be obvious that various changes may be made by those skilled in the art in the details of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the attached drawings and described above within the principles and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A clasp comprising one member having a projection thereon and a second member having an opening adapted to receive the projection therethrough, and means to urge the projection to withdraw from said opening whereby material placed about the projection will be clamped against the side ,of the opening, said means comprising cooperating interacting cam surfaces formed on the upper surface of said second member and spaced ribs protruding radially from the base of the projection formed on said first mentioned member, said cam surfaces defining planes disposed at an acute angle to the plane of the upper surface of said second member and arranged concentrically about said opening whereby as said first mentioned member is rotated relative to said second member the projection is urged to withdraw from said opening.

2. A clasp comprising one member having a projection thereon and a second member having an opening adapted to receive the projection therethrough, and means to urge the projection to withdraw from said opening whereby material placed about the projection will be clamped against the side of the opening, said means comprising cooperating interacting cam surfaces formed on the upper sur a of a d w dmsmb r nd ewed r rs w ing radially from the base of the projection formed on said first mentioned member, said cam surfaces defining planes disposed at an acute angle to the plane of the upper surface of said second member and arranged con.- centrically about said opening, said cam surfaces having spaced grooves formed therein, said grooves serving to retain the spaced ribs in an advanced, locked position as said first mentioned member isrotated relative to said second member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Dowse Dec. 18, 1900 Schmidt June 28, 1904 Wotzel Jan. 9, 1906 

